1. Nehemiah 13:23-31 & WRAP UP

2. Timeline of Nehemiah Chapter 13 20 th year of Artaxerxes 32 nd year of Artaxerxes Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem Nehemiah away from Jerusalem Nehemiah was the governor of Jerusalem 444 B.C.432 B.C. ~ 425 B.C.

3. Israel’s failures in Nehemiah’s absence Failure to live up to their commitments (chapter 13) Sin of an unholy relationship (vv. 9-14) Sin of forsaking God’s house (vv. 10-13) Sin of profaning the Sabbath day (vv. 14-22) Sin of mixed marriages (vv. 23-31)

4. Deuteronomy 7:2-3 ‘And when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons.’

5. Why does the Scripture make a big deal about mixed marriages??? Marriage is a God ordained covenant relationship between a man and a woman that is considered HOLY in the sight of God

6. Matthew 19:4-6 4 And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH '? 6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

7. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

8. Why does the Scripture make a big deal about mixed marriages??? Marriage was intended by God to further His purposes down here on earth Marriage is a God ordained covenant relationship between a man and a woman that is considered HOLY in the sight of God

9. Why does the Scripture make a big deal about mixed marriages??? Mixed marriages are not without repercussions Marriage is a God ordained covenant relationship between a man and a woman that is considered HOLY in the sight of God Marriage was intended by God to further His purposes down here on the earth

10. Deuteronomy 7:3-4 "Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. 4 "For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you. Nehemiah 13:24 24 As for their children, half spoke in the language of Ashdod, and none of them was able to speak the language of Judah, but the language of his own people. Exodus 34:15-16 otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods.

11. Nehemiah’s reaction…. Nehemiah dealt with the situation harshly exercising righteous anger (v.25)

12. Nehemiah’s reaction…. Nehemiah reminded them of the failures in history from Solomon’s life (vv. 26-27)

13. Nehemiah’s reaction…. Nehemiah showed no mercy in the purification work (vv. 28, 30)

14. Nehemiah will always be remembered as one… who cared for what God cared for

15. Nehemiah will always be remembered as one… who acted on his God-given mission, no matter what who cared for what God cared for

16. Who led on his knees Nehemiah will always be remembered as one… who acted on his God-given mission, no matter what who cared for what God cared for

17. Nehemiah will always be remembered as one… Who valued spiritual things more than the physical Who led on his knees who acted on his God-given mission, no matter what who cared for what God cared for

18. Nehemiah will always be remembered as one… Who valued spiritual things more than the physical Who led on his knees who acted on his God-given mission, no matter what who cared for what God cared for Who was used by God

19. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS?